God-Part III He Exists

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, Romans 1:18-20 (NKJV)

In the first two parts of this devotional series we been looking at information to answer questions that we, as Christians will hear.  Questions such as:

Q:    How can you know that there is a God?
Q:    How can you know what He is like?
Q:    How can you know that He cares about you specifically?

We've learned that we can know the answer to these questions because God has revealed Himself to us.  The two ways He has chose to do this is:

1.    General Revelation:  This is how God is revealed and manifest (plain to see; obvious) to mankind through His creation, which is made up in the physical universe.

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Psalms 19:1-3 (NLT)

There are several aspects of God that mankind can see through general revelation that are outlined in Romans 1:18-20.  Let's take a look at 4 of them as they correspond to the scriptures in Romans.

a)    Man's Experience: We, as humans, have continually acknowledged God's hand upon our lives throughout history, and we see this consistently through the scriptures as well.   Therefore, we know of God's existence through these experiences. (See Romans 1:18).

b)    Man's Innate Awareness: We have always intuitively known of God's existence (See Rom 1:19a). 

c)    Man's Senses:  Even though God is invisible, we can clearly see the qualities of His nature (See Rom 1:19b-20a).

d)    Man's Reason:  All the things that God has made, these things bear witness to our logic that no other plausible cause exists other than God (See Rom 1:20b).

The second way that God has revealed Himself clearly to mankind is by "Spiritual Revelation."

2.    Spiritual Revelation:  The Bible is God's Spiritual Revelation to us through His written Word.  The Bible assumes God's existence without question or explanation. In the first verse of Scripture in the Old Testament we read, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (See Gen 1:1).  And in the New Testament, we read: 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 (NKJV)

The Bible claims to be the one and "Only" revelation of God's true nature (See Heb 1:1-4), and dealings with men.  In its writings, we can discover that He exists, what He is like, and we can learn how to know Him, which is exactly what we will do as we go to Part IV and learn about God's "Divine Attributes & Characteristics." 

Hey Christian, the Scriptures tell us that any human being who denies the existence of God, that"they are without excuse."  It also says "what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them."

Q:    So why do people say that they don't believe in the existence of God?

A:    Scripture tells us they "suppress the truth." And this paints the answer so clearly, because to"Suppress" means to "Hold." Think of a person on a boat steering the rudder against the current of the water.  The boat naturally wants to go in the natural flow with the current, but the person who is steering it is determined to go in the opposite direction.  So he "Holds" or "Suppresses" the rudder in such a way instead of the way of the current.

There are those who like to boat operator, are dead set in going in their own direction.  And these are the people who "Suppress the truth" of God's Word, and they forge ahead and go against the flow of what God has asked of them.  Romans 1:18 tells us that God's wrath will poured out upon those who do this, because they are without excuse-they knew the truth the whole time.  

God has given us His Word to know His will for our lives, and to allow us to get to know Him in an intimate way.  We should be able to go to His Word to find out everything that is needed.  And this is the truth, that every created human being in fact knows of God. We, as Christians, study the full written counsel of God (The Holy Bible) so that we may know the scriptures and are able to apply them, and share the truth in love with those who simply either don't know, or who are following false teachers who don't know.

Hey Christian, I want to encourage you today to get to know God a little better than you did yesterday.  It starts by giving Him something that is very valuable to you, and that is your time.  Give Him the best of what you have, and you will be blessed beyond measure.

STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn about mankind knowing God from Romans 1:18-20?

PERSONAL INVENTORY: Do you have a personal relationship with God?  Are you taking time each day to speak (Pray) to Him and to read His Word?

APPLICATION: Don't worry about what you haven't done in the past; just start today and take it one day at a time.  God wants to know you and to have a personal relationship with you if you will let Him.